Monday, August 27. 2007

$3 Million for "Where I've Been" Mapping App

Trip Advisor, part of Expedia, has a acquired a Facebook/MySpace "add-on" for $3 million. "Where I've Been" is a simple app that allows users to highlight which states/countries they have or want to visit. The idea I suppose is to tap those users for purchasing travel or supporting advertising. Other such "add ons" have been sold by Facebook, but this one tops the selling price competition.

There was confusion if the story was true, but it's since been confirmed by The Wall Street Journal. It's unclear to me if the app is free as it doesn't say on its website. I suspect it is. A version for inclusion on websites/blog is in production.

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I've seen this thing before. Its Flash-based and free, although it requires registration (including email) so they might sell your info or something.

I was left with the feeling that I could code up another, better version in about a day. Special price, only $500,000.

#1 Bill Thorp (Link) on 2007-08-27 09:16 (Reply)

So why don't you code one up then, Bill Thorp?

#1.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-08-27 12:20 (Reply)

Maybe because it's not that easy to find another sucker willing to pay that kind of money for a web-based mapping app?

#1.1.1 Atanas Entchev (Link) on 2007-08-27 12:51 (Reply)

It's always about the money for some, isn't it?

sigh

#1.1.1.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-08-27 17:29 (Reply)

Of course it is. Unless you are independently wealthy, and then it still is, but you don't necessarily feel it.

I should know. I grew up in a communist country. They taught us that money was irrelevant, and that we should all be working for the greater good. It didn't quite work out, as we all know. Those societies collapsed.

Adam Smith wrote: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest."

#2 Atanas Entchev (Link) on 2007-08-28 10:21 (Reply)

The difference in government and ideology, is recognizing when you have a choice.

As long as the ambition is there to make something happen, money is your choice. There is no law in this country that states we must maximize a profit.

#2.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-08-28 15:36 (Reply)

I mean, if that were the case -- 'trickle-down Regan-omics' would have actually worked.

But I digress.

#2.1.1 Daniel (Link) on 2007-08-28 15:41 (Reply)

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In reply to	[ Top level ]#1: Bill Thorp on 2007-08-27 09:16   #1.1: Daniel on 2007-08-27 12:20     #1.1.1: Atanas Entchev on 2007-08-27 12:51       #1.1.1.1: Daniel on 2007-08-27 17:29 #2: Atanas Entchev on 2007-08-28 10:21   #2.1: Daniel on 2007-08-28 15:36     #2.1.1: Daniel on 2007-08-28 15:41
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